Noticing all these things recently.

Since coming out last year to my family about being an Atheist I have noticed that there have been more then obvious increases in their religious behavior every time I'm around them.

For intense, my mother busted out her Bible, which has been at the bottom of a box in the back of her closet for the past 15 years. It now decorates the living room coffee table.

My oldest sister has suddenly discovered that she has taste for any and all angel paintings. So much so that she haphazardly hangs throughout her house. It's almost like she shoved everything already on her walls over throughout the house just so she could squeeze in an angel here and there.

My father miraculously uncovered revelations and apparently the anti Christ, Obama, is preparing us and the end of the world in nigh. He knows it makes me mad when he brings it up which is why it’s a reoccurring topic with him just about ever damned time he calls me.

My oldest brother whom the closest thing to religious that he's owned was the cross on his Gun's N Roses t-shirt now decorates his home with tiny wooden Jesus riding crosses above each and every door. Even the bathroom….

My adoring aunt who either has a preacher under her sink or she’s been investing in bulk orders holy water, that she lovingly tosses on me from time to time. Unfortunately she has to come up with a new tactic because I now deliberately wear a rain coat when ever she’s going to be around. Hehe, the raincoat even has a little image of a devil on the back.

Now recently my middle sister decided that the whole family should have a group outing... to form stronger bonds and all that warm fuzzy goodness that comes along with family outings… Yeah, by getting re-baptized again. What a JOY is that!

Hum. I wonder what would happen if the child of an atheist family came out and said 'I am a born again christian Mommy and Daddy!' ?

Would mommy and daddy start playing Darwinian documentaries 24/7? Would they leave copies of 'The American Humanist' in the bathroom reading bin? Would they offer free airfare and lodging for an Atheist conference? Would they call in the old folks from the 70's and 80' for deprogramming? I can just about imagine the 'over dinner' conversations, 'punkin, can you please pass the unblessed dinner rolls, thank you!?'

Are christians more threatened by atheists, or the other way around? Just asking....

This past thanksgiving I was asked to say grace at the table. Needless to say, I stared at my mom in disbelief, as did my sister and her boyfriend. They tend to try to get you into situations where they think that you will crack. However, I ended up saying "I would personally like to thank grandma and mom for cooking all day, as well as all of the hard workers that made it so that this meal could make it to our table. So, thanks, now let's eat!"

@James, I think that theists are generally more threatened, just for the fact that theirs is a dictatorship where one idea is all that's allowed, whereas atheists and their ilk tend to realize that, if evidence comes up that is contrary, then its generally accepted. Such is the nature of life.

Could it be argued that Christians fear Atheists not because we don’t belief what they believe but because it raises the possibility that they too could might someday lose their faith? That is something they dare not even contemplate. They fear Atheists more than other religions. While both groups don’t believe in their god at least (say) Muslims believe in something.

"whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission was like that of horses."

A gold mine indeed! I would shudder to think a Sunday school teacher would offer discourse to a group of kiddies on that one. Parents w/ children in private christian schools should be concerned about course material - the bible!

That holy water thing would get annoying fast. I'd pick up some coffee before seeing her, and be ready to counter-splash. The bible on the table could definitely be fun though, and it does seem like an open invitation to a discussion about it's contents.

Its amazing reading the accounts of those coming out in america, an eye opener to us heathens in Holland. My parents were useless selfish fools but at least they were atheist selfish fools and I did not have any of this nonsense ! Tammy, good luck in your journey, and charge into their lines every time while enjoying their over-compensatory antics.

Well it seems that comparing to worse things makes people feel better,everything is relative right? They are your family,still love you and are trying to get you back in their camp,I've read about people being abandoned after revealing their atheism so if you can get to the point of just laughing at their attempts and not get upset you won another battle.